MOGADISHU — Horn Africa News has obtained information indicating that the United Nations support office in Somalia has notified some of its staff that their assignments will end on September 10, marking the beginning of a broader reduction in personnel.
According to the information, affected staff members have been informed that they will no longer be required to perform their current duties after the September 10 deadline.
The development reportedly follows the conclusion of the office’s mandate and forms part of a wider UN transition plan to gradually scale down certain operations and reduce its institutional footprint in Somalia.
The first group of UN personnel is reportedly expected to begin leaving Somalia in October, with additional staff departures anticipated in the months that follow.
The planned reduction could mark a significant change in the international organization’s long-standing operational presence in Somalia. For years, UN-supported offices and missions have played important roles in humanitarian coordination, political affairs, institution-building, security-sector support and engagement with the Somali government.
However, the reported transition does not necessarily mean that the United Nations is withdrawing completely from Somalia. UN agencies and programmes operating under separate mandates are expected to continue their work, particularly in humanitarian assistance, development and other areas.
The restructuring comes as Somalia increasingly assumes responsibility for its own security, governance and national institutions, following years of extensive international support.
If implemented as reported, the September 10 staff deadline and October departures would represent an important stage in the UN’s evolving engagement with Somalia, with some responsibilities expected to be transferred increasingly to Somali institutions.
The move could also have implications for the way international partners coordinate their activities with the Somali government, particularly in areas previously supported by specialized UN offices.
Further details are expected as the United Nations clarifies the scope of the staff reductions, the offices affected and the future structure of its operations in Somalia.
